Fixture

Match Result:  Cefn Coed 23 Old Penarthians 5

After a break for the Autumn International series Old Penarthians returned to WRU National League Division 4 East Central action in an away match at Cefn Coed.  And if it wasn’t enough to have last played 35 days previously the bus trip to the game ensured that the team had to wait a further 30 minutes after the scheduled kick off because of a roadworks delay.

Both Cefn Coed and the referee are to be thanked for their patience but the delay did nothing for the pre-match preparations that had seen several changes in the 1^st XV line up since the last game against Ynysowen.

That said Penarthians under the captaincy of Jon Crimp were the first to make an impression with strong drives from Tom Sidford, Matt Stingl and Joel deClaire that earned a penalty after six minutes that Nathan Facey could not convert

Thereafter the first half was however dominated by Cefn Coed with their forwards having the upper hand at the set piece scrummages that earned them territory and opportunities to attack.  deClaire was however outstanding throughout at no 8 with his ability to pick up at the base of the scrum that was generally going backwards

Cefn Coed made their superiority tell with tries on 12 and 21 minutes through Chris Evans and Kieran Williams.  Both of which were converted by Adam Harvey

After 35 minutes a tackle by Rowan Allcock made contact with the head of an attacking Cefn Coed forward but an explanation by the referee indicated that both players were falling at the moment of impact and a yellow card only was awarded.  Harvey kicked the resulting penalty from in front of the posts and with no further scores the Old Penarthians trailed 17-0 at half time

During the break James Reynolds replaced Dan Jones and the scrum settled a little perhaps due to the on-pitch advice given by veteran second row Alan Haines. The line out also functioned with Andy Gill and Josh Allcock winning good possession. It meant that the threequarters had a reasonable supply of ball but most of their attacks were started within their own half and territorial advantage could not be maintained.

One break from Richie Moir did however break the defence and a pass to Rowan Allcock put the winger away down the touchline.  The cover defence was strong and despite the ball being recycled by the forwards the opportunity was lost.

The first score of the second half came on 20 minutes when a penalty for offside was kicked by Harvey.

At this point the flood lights were turned on and with it Penarthians seemed to find their way and attacked strongly through Luke Crockett, Gill and Sidford leading to a sustained period in the opposition half.  The ruck and maul possession was retained and a sharp pass from Tomos Hillman to Josh Allcock saw him dive through defenders’ legs to score a try.  The conversion was unsuccessful.

The team continued their endeavours and the forwards started to operate the attacking systems that have been employed at training with more conviction and Rhys Thomas and Crockett carrying into contact and recycling for further moves.

The last score of the game was however in favour of the home team with a further penalty from Harvey to make the final score 23-5.

Next Saturday the 1^st XV play their next league fixture at home to Wattstown with a kick off at 2.30pm.